The Calvin Ball Bulletin

Legislation Edition: April 2013

Welcome!
This newsletter is dedicated to legislation relating to Howard County including legislation under consideration by the Howard County Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly while they are currently in session. Below, you will find a brief description of each of the proposed bills and a link to view the legislation online. I hope you find this information helpful and are able to take advantage of this opportunity to become more engaged. If youd like to offer testimony on any legislation under consideration by the Howard County Council, please send an email to Councilmail@howardco untymd.gov. You can also take advantage of the opportunity to sign-up to testify online for Council bills. To do so, visit http://cc.howardcountymd.gov/IframeTemplate.aspx? ID=6442455146. For additional details on bills under consideration by the Howard County Delegation, contact Dylan Goldberg at 410-841-3360 or email hoc1@mlis.state.md.us. CR32-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Ann H. Jones to the State Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board and to the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Board. Final Action: Votes: CR33-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Vivian M. Lawyer to the Personnel Board. Final Action: Votes: CR34-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Ricky Bauer to the State Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board and to the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Board. Final Action: Votes:

INTRODUCTIONS
All current Council legislation can be found online.

APPOINTMENTS
CR31-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Nancy A. Briguglio to the Equal Business Opportunity Commission. Final Action: Votes: CR35-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Howard Feaga to the State Agricultural Preservation Advisory Board and to the Howard County Agricultural Land Preservation Board. Final Action:

Votes: CR36-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Joshua D. Sullivan to the Human Rights Commission. Final Action: Votes:

amending certain definitions; amending certain death benefits, disability benefits, and differential wage provisions for pension plan participants with military service; and generally relating to the Howard County Police and Fire Employees Retirement Plan. Final Action: Votes: CB14-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT amending the Howard County Employees Retirement Plan to define the term spouse; making certain technical corrections; and generally relating to the Howard County Employees Retirement Plan. Final Action: Votes: CB15-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT amending the Howard County Police and Fire Employees Retirement Plan to define the term spouse; making certain technical corrections; and generally relating to the Howard County Police and Fire Employees Retirement Plan. Final Action: Votes: CR28-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of Several Emerson Development LLCs A RESOLUTION to close a portion of Sterling Drive, as shown in Exhibits A and B, in accordance with Section 18.204 of the Howard County Code. Final Action: Votes: CR29-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the Department of Public Works A RESOLUTION to close a portion of Linden Church road, as shown in Exhibits A and B, in accordance with Section 18.204 of the Howard County Code. Final Action: Votes: CR37-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION declaring that a total of approximately

FINANCIAL
SAO8-FY2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT transferring $18,908 from the Grants Fund, Contingency Reserve to the Office of Transportation to reflect increased funding for the Work on Wheels grant program. Final Action: Votes: SAO9-FY2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT transferring $770,000 from the General Fund, Contingency Reserve to the Department of Public Works for unanticipated expenses for snow removal. Final Action: Votes:

GENERAL
CB12-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT amending the Howard County Employees Retirement Plan pursuant to the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008; amending certain definitions; amending certain death benefits, disability benefits, and differential wage provisions for pension plan participants with military service; and generally relating to the Howard County Employees Retirement Plan. Final Action: Votes: CB13-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT amending the Howard County Police and Fire Employees Retirement Plan pursuant to the Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act of 2008;

6.149 acres of real property owned by Howard County and identified as (1) a portion of the road bed of Sterling Drive and (2) a certain open space parcel are no longer needed for a public purpose and authorizing the County Executive to waive the advertising and bidding requirements of Section 4.201 of the Howard County Code in order to convey the property to the homeowners association serving the adjacent property, Emerson Development HOA, LLC; and providing that the County Executive is not bound to convey the property if he finds that the land may have a further public use and submits his finding to the County Council for its consideration. Final Action: Votes: CR38-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION pursuant to Sections 16.301 and 16.200(a) of the Howard County Code, granting a variance for government uses from the structure and use setback for a fence on property located along Stephens Road and located in the Planned Employment Center Zoning District. Final Action: Votes: CR39-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION adopting Howard Countys Annual Action Plan for housing and community services to qualify for the receipt of federal Community Development Block Grant and Home Investment Partnership Program funds. Final Action: Votes: CR40-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson A RESOLUTION calling the County Council of Howard County, Maryland into legislative session on May 23, 2013. Final Action: Votes: CR41-2013 Introduced By, The Chairperson A RESOLUTION calling the County Council of Howard County, Maryland into legislative session on July 25, 2013.

Final Action: Votes:

FINAL CONSIDERATION
Any Amendment that has a stike through (strike), failed. Any Amendment that is in brackets { } was not introduced.

APPOINTMENTS
CR24-2013 Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Ryan C. Frederic to the Howard County Board of Directors of the Revenue Authority. Final Action: Votes: CR25-2013 Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the appointment of Katie Weyrauch to the Environmental Sustainability Board. Final Action: Votes: CR26-2013 Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Dr. Byung H. Ahn to the Commission on Disability Issues. Final Action: Votes: CR27-2013 Introduced by: Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION confirming the reappointment of Kristen Perry to the Public Ethics Commission. Final Action: Votes:

GENERAL
CB11-2013 Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT pursuant to Section 612 of the Howard County Charter, approving a multi-year agreement between Howard County, Maryland and Grant Capital

Management, Inc., a Maryland corporation, where Grant Capital will finance the acquisition of certain equipment including, without limitation, Fire Department apparatus, furniture, library books and computers through a TaxExempt Master Equipment Lease-Purchase Agreement. Final Action: Votes: CR30-2013 Introduced by the Chairperson A RESOLUTION calling the County Council of Howard County, Maryland into legislative session on March 28, 2013. Final Action: Passed 3/18/2013 Votes: Unanimous

certain definitions; providing for certain enforcement; and generally relating to the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program in Howard County. Final Action: Tabled 3/4/2013 Votes: Unanimous CR21-2013 Amendment 1, 2, 3 Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive A RESOLUTION approving schedules for various charges related to the Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee including the impervious unit rate and the amounts for certain credit, reimbursement and assistance programs. Final Action: Tabled 3/4/2013 Votes: Unanimous

TABLED THE PROCESS

CR150-2011 Introduced By, Greg Fox A RESOLUTION proposing to add a section to Article VIII. Centralized Purchasing of the Howard County Charter to limit the exercise of the power of eminent domain so that the power is used only for public purposes and not for private economic development, and submitting this amendment to the voters of Howard County for their adoption or rejection in accordance with Article X of the Howard County Charter and Article XIA of the Maryland Constitution. Final Action: Tabled 10/3/2011 Votes: Yea Council Members Fox, Sigaty, Terrasa and Watson Nay Council Member Ball CB8-2013 Amendment 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Introduced by: The Chairperson at the request of the County Executive AN ACT establishing a Watershed Protection and Restoration fund as a dedicated, non-lapsing, enterprise fund; specifying the purposes of the fund and allowing certain revenue to be deposited into the fund; allowing the fund to be used for certain purposes; establishing a Watershed Protection and Restoration Fee; establishing the method, frequency and enforcement of the collection of the Fee; setting forth certain provisions specific to particular types of properties; creating a certain credit and reimbursement program to adjust the amount of the Fee that certain properties will pay; allowing for certain adjustments; allowing for a certain Assistance Program; allowing certain appeals; authorizing the adoption of certain regulations; defining certain terms; amending The County Council is responsible for adopting the laws of the County. The legislative process generally follows a monthly cycle: 1st Monday - New legislation is introduced; legislation from prior month is given final consideration 3rd Monday - Public hearing on legislation introduced that month 4th Monday - Legislative work session, if needed 1st Monday - New legislation is introduced; legislation from prior month is given final consideration Council bills must be signed or vetoed by the County Executive within 10 days of the Council's presentation of passed legislation.

UPCOMING MEETINGS
Unless otherwise noted, the County Council will hold its meetings in the Banneker Room of the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD. The next meetings are as follows: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 4:30pm: Legislative Session Monday, April 8, 2013 at 12:30pm: Monthly Meeting in C. Vernon Gray Room, GH Bldg Monday, April 15, 2013 at 7:30pm: Legislative Public Hearing, followed by Public Hearing Capital Budget (except Education) Thursday, April 18, 2013 at 1pm: Work Session, Capital Budget (Except Education), CVG Room

* Please note these dates are subject to change. To access the most up-to-date calendar of meetings, click here. Cant attend a meeting but still want to stay involved? You can stream the Councils sessions online and click on the meeting you would like to watch. The Councils sessions are also streamed in real time on this website.

HB460 / SB460 Creation of a State Debt Howard County The Arcs Homewood Road Renovation Submitted by the Howard County Delegation For the purpose of authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $100,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of The Arc of Howard County, Inc. for the planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, and capital equipping of The Arc's Homewood Road Renovation Project, located in Howard County; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; etc. Status: In the House- Hearing 3/9 at 10am; In the Senate Hearing 3/9 at 10am Final Action: Votes: HB895 Education Howard County Library System Collective Bargaining Submitted by the Howard County Delegation Chairs and the County Executive FOR the purpose of authorizing employees of the Howard County Library System to form, join, and participate in an employee organization and engage in certain other activities related to collective bargaining; authorizing an employee to refrain from certain activities; specifying the responsibilities of the library system and the certified exclusive representative; specifying the collective bargaining units and the composition of the units; requiring that a certain employee organization submit a certain petition to the Director of the Howard County Library System; prohibiting a certain employee organization from discriminating with regard to terms or conditions of membership because of certain characteristics; requiring that a certain petition be submitted to the State Mediation and Conciliation Service for certain purposes; authorizing the library system or a certain employee organization to submit a certain request to the State Medication and Conciliation Service for certain purposes; requiring that the library system and the employee organization or certified exclusive representative share equally certain costs; requiring the library system to recognize certain rights of the certified exclusive representative; requiring the certified exclusive representative to represent employees in a certain

Howard County State Delegation Legislation

The 2013 legislative session will adjourn on Monday, April 8, 2013. So that our residents may stay engaged in topics impacting Howard County, I wanted to share with you some bills that may be of interest to you. For further information, contact Dylan Goldberg at the Howard County Delegation Office at 410-841-3360 or email hoc1@mlis.state.md.us HB0457 / SB562 Creation of a State Debt Howard County Middle Patuxent Environmental Area Submitted by the Howard County Delegation Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $150,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the County Executive and County Council of Howard County for the planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, reconstruction, and capital equipping of a restroom, storage building, and staging area at Middle Patuxent Environmental Area, located in Clarksville; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; etc. Status: In the House- Hearing 3/9 at 10am; In the Senate Hearing 3/9 at 10am Final Action:

manner; requiring the library system and the certified exclusive representative to enter into a collective bargaining agreement that contains provisions regarding certain matters; requiring the library system to make certain payroll deductions under certain circumstances; requiring that certain dues be remitted to the certified exclusive representative; prohibiting certain grievance procedures from allowing an arbitrator to alter the terms of the collective bargaining agreement; specifying when a collective bargaining agreement is effective and when it expires; requiring the library system and the certified representative to reach an agreement by a certain date except under certain circumstances; specifying the procedures to be followed if an impasse is reached in the collective bargaining negotiations; requiring the library system to submit certain terms of the collective bargaining agreement to the Board of Library Trustees for Howard County for its acceptance or rejection; requiring the Board to take certain action regarding the terms submitted to it for review; requiring the library system and the certified exclusive representative to take certain action if the Board rejects a term; requiring the Board to take certain action if it accepts a term; authorizing the Howard County Executive and Howard County Council to take certain action regarding certain requests submitted to them for approval; requiring the Howard County Executive to take certain action if the Howard County Executive accepts a certain request; requiring the library system and the certified exclusive representative to take certain action if the County Executive or County Council reject a certain request; providing that the library system retains certain rights and responsibilities under certain circumstances; providing for the decertification of the certified exclusive representative under certain circumstances; prohibiting the library system and an employee organization from taking certain actions regarding collective bargaining; prohibiting an employee or an employee organization from engaging in, inducing, initiating, or ratifying a strike; authorizing a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin a strike under certain circumstances; prohibiting an employee from receiving compensation from the library system under certain circumstances; authorizing the library system to take certain action against an employee or an employee organization for violating a certain provision of this Act; providing that this Act and a collective bargaining agreement entered into under this Act supersede certain provisions of law under certain circumstances; providing for the construction of a certain provision of this Act; defining certain terms; and

generally relating to collective bargaining for employees of the Howard County Library System. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Hearing 3/27 at 1pm Final Action: Votes: HB0462 / SB559 Creation of a State Debt Howard County Blandair Regional Park Submitted by the Howard County Delegation Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $250,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the County Executive and County Council of Howard County for the planning, design, construction, repair, renovation, and capital equipping of a playground at Blandair Regional Park, located in Ellicott City; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the loan proceeds; etc. Status: In the House- Hearing 3/9 at 10am; In the Senate Hearing 3/9 at 1pm Final Action: Votes: HB0456 / SB559 Creation of a State Debt Howard County Historic Belmont Property Submitted by the Howard County Delegation Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $250,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the County Executive and County Council of Howard County for the repair, renovation, and capital equipping of buildings at the Historic Belmont Property, located in Elkridge; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the loan proceeds; etc. Status: In the House- Hearing 3/9 at 10am; In the Senate Hearing 3/9 at 1pm Final Action: Votes: HB0461 / SB558 Creation of a State Debt Howard County Domestic Violence Center Submitted by the Howard County Delegation

Authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $200,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, Inc. for the acquisition, planning, design, construction, renovation, and capital equipping of a residential property for the Domestic Violence Center, located in Howard County; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and expend a matching fund; etc. Status: In the House Hearing 3/9 at 10am; In the Senate Hearing 3/9 at 1pm Final Action: Votes: HB0454 Howard County - Casino Events - Authorized Submitted by Howard County Delegation Authorizing organizations to hold casino events that include a card game or roulette in Howard County, as specified; requiring an organization to obtain a permit from the Howard County Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits before operating a casino event; requiring the county to establish the amount of the permit fee; specifying the types of organizations eligible to conduct a casino event; limiting the amount of specified money prizes; requiring a permit holder to ensure that specified standards are met; etc. Status: In the House- Hearing 3/05 at 1:00 pm Final Action: Votes: HB 1514 Howard County Noise Control - Exception Submitted by the Howard County Delegation Chairs FOR the purpose of prohibiting the Department of the Environment, Howard County, or a political subdivision of Howard County from adopting any sound level limit or noise control ordinances, rule, or regulation that prohibits the electronic amplification of sound between certain hours at an outdoor concert venue with a certain capacity in Howard County; and generally relating to the adoption of sound level limits and noise control ordinances, rules, regulations that prohibit the electronic amplification of sound in Howard County Status: In the Senate Hearing 4/2 at 1pm Final Action: Votes:

HB 1240 Howard County Alcoholic Beverages Continuing Care retirement Community Living Sponsored by the Howard County Delegation Chairs FOR the purpose of establishing in Howard County a Class C (Continuing Care Retirement Community) beer, wine and liquor license; establishing qualifications for a licensee; authorizing a licensee to keep for sale and sell at retail to a resident or a guest of the community beer, wine, and liquor for consumption on the premises; providing for a annual license fee; and generally relating to alcoholic beverages in Howard County. Status: In the Senate Hearing 3/22 at 1pm; In the House Third Reading Passed Final Action: Votes: HB0450 Howard County Property Tax Credit Renovated, Upgraded, or Rehabilitated Property Sponsored by the Howard County Delegation Authorizing the governing body of Howard County to provide a property tax credit against the county property tax for specified real property that is renovated, upgraded, or rehabilitated; authorizing the governing body of Howard County to provide, by law, for specified other criteria for a property tax credit; etc. Status: In the Senate Hearing 3/28 at 2pm; In the House Third Reading Passed Final Action: Votes: HB 1407 Howard County Orphans Court Judges - Salary Sponsored by the Howard County Delegation Chairs FOR the purpose of altering the salaries of each judge of the Orphans Court for Howard County and the annual salary of the Chief Judge for the Orphans Court of Howard County. Status: In the Senate Hearing 3/28 at 1pm; In the House Third Reading Passed Final Action:

HB 1406 Howard County Sheriff - Salary Increase Sponsored by the Howard County Delegation FOR the purpose of establishing that if the salary of the lieutenants in the Howard County Police Department is increased, the annual salary of the Sheriff of Howard County shall be increased by the same dollar amount as the salary increase of the police lieutenants; providing that this Act does not apply to the salary or compensation of the incumbent Sheriff during a certain term of office; and generally relating to the salary of the Sheriff of Howard County. Status: In the Senate Hearing 3/28 at 1pm; In the House Third Reading Passed Final Action: HB 901 Howard County Alcoholic Beverages Liquor Board Distance Discretion Sponsored by Howard County Delegation FOR the purpose of modifying a certain provision of law in Howard County so as to authorize the issuance of a certain alcoholic beverages license for a restaurant located a certain distance from a public school building, if the Board of License Commissioners approves; making a stylistic change; and generally relating to alcoholic beverages in Howard County. Status: In the Senate Hearing 3/22 at 1pm; In the House Third Reading Passed Final Action: HB0455 Howard County Alcoholic Beverages Refillable Wine Containers Sponsored by the Howard County Delegation Expanding a specified application of law in Howard County to allow specified license holders to sell wine in refillable containers off the licensed premises; authorizing the Board of License Commissioners to issue a refillable wine container permit; requiring a refillable wine container to meet specified requirements; requiring that a holder of a refillable wine container permit meet specified requirements; etc. Status: In the Senate Hearing 3/26 at 1pm; In the House Third Reading Passed Final Action:

HB1409 Howard County - Winery Special Events Permits Farmers Markets Ho. Co. 16-13 Sponsored by Howard County Delegation FOR the purpose of authorizing the State Comptroller to issue a winery special event permit to Class 4 Maryland limited winery in Howard County for unlimited use for a certain amount of time each week at certain farmers markets in Howard County; and generally relating to the issuance of a winery special event permit for use at a farmers market in Howard County Status: In the House Rereferred to Economic Matters Final Action: HB 1405 Howard County Alcoholic Beverages Farm Brewery License Sponsored by Howard County Delegation FOR the purpose of authorizing the Comptroller to issue in Howard County one Class 8 farm brewery license to a person that holds not more than a certain number of Class B beer, wine and liquor licenses; and generally relating to the issuance of a Class 8 farm brewery license in Howard County. Status: In the House Rereferred to Economic Matters Final Action: Votes: HB1404 / SB992 Creation of a State Debt Howard County Vantage House Sponsored by Howard County Delegation FOR the purpose of authorizing the creation of a State Debt not to exceed $75,000, the proceeds to be used as a grant to the Board of Directors of Vantage House Retirement Community in Columbia for certain development or improvement purposes; providing for disbursement of the loan proceeds, subject to a requirement that the grantee provide and the expend a matching fund; establishing a deadline for the encumbrance or expenditure of the load proceeds; and providing generally for the issuance and sale of bonds evidencing the loan. Status: In the House Hearing 3/9 at 10am; In the Senate Hearing 3/9 at 1pm Final Action:

Maryland State General Assembly Legislation

nonprofit organizations to verify the amount of oyster shells recycled by each individual or corporation; applying the Act to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012; etc.

Status: In the House Second Reading Passed with Amendments; In the Senate Third Reading Passed Final Action: HB263 / SB144 (Property Tax Credit Historically and Architecturally Valuable Property) Sponsored by Delegate Lafferty and Senate Kasemeyer
Increasing, from 10% to 25%, the amount of restoration and preservation expenses for specified historic structures that the governing body of a county or municipal corporation may authorize to be claimed by specified taxpayers as a property tax credit against the county or municipal property tax; applying the Act to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2013; etc.

The Maryland General Assembly is now in session and will adjourn Monday, April 8, 2013. In order for our residents to stay engaged in topics that may affect Howard County, I have shared some bills that may be of interest to you. This section differs from the Howard County Delegation Section above as these bills are sponsored by those outside the Howard County Delegation. House Bill 108 (Housing and Community Development Neighborhood and Community Assistance Program Project Proposals) Sponsored by Delegate Lafferty
Increasing from $2,000,000 to $3,500,000 the maximum sum of contributions for specified projects under the Neighborhood and Community Assistance Program that are eligible for a specified tax credit; and authorizing the Department of Housing and Community Development to give preference to a proposal for a specified project that benefits a neighborhood conservation district designated under the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Status: In the House Hearing 3/26 at

Status: In the Senate Hearing 3/28 at 3pm; In the House Third Reading Passed Final Action: HB 157 / SB466 (Income Tax Expensing of Business Property and Bonus Depreciation) Sponsored by Delegate Bates and Senator Klausmeier Limiting to property placed in service before January 1, 2013, the applicability of Maryland income tax modifications for specified deductions for the cost of business property that is treated as an expense for federal income tax purposes; limiting to property placed in service before January 1, 2013, the applicability of Maryland income tax modifications for a specified additional depreciation allowance under the federal income tax for specified business property; etc. Status: In the House Hearing 2/19 at 1pm; In the Senate Hearing 3/5 at 1pm Final Action: House Bill 387 (State Retirement and Pension System Truth in Pension Accounting Act) Sponsored by Delegate Bates Requiring the Board of Trustees for the State Retirement and Pension System to adopt a specified assumed rate of investment return in its adoption of specified actuarial assumptions for the State Retirement and Pension System. Status: In the House Unfavorable Report by Appropriations Final Action:

1pm Final Action: House Bill 131 (Criminal Law Access to Firearms - Penalties) Sponsored by Delegate Lafferty
Prohibiting a person from storing or leaving a loaded or unloaded firearm in a location where specified individuals could gain access to the firearm; and altering the penalty for a violation of the Act.

Status: In the House Hearing 3/5 at 1pm Final Action: House Bill 184 / Senate Bill 484 (Income Tax Credit Oyster Shell Recycling) Sponsored by Delegate Lafferty and Senator Dyson
Allowing an individual or corporation a $1 credit against the State income tax for each bushel of oyster shells recycled during the taxable year; providing that the credit may not exceed $750 during a taxable year; requiring the Department of Natural Resources and the Comptroller jointly to adopt regulations to authorize businesses, landfills, and

HB 259 (Campaign Finance Affiliated Business Entities Attribution of Contributions) Sponsored by Delegate Bobo Requiring that campaign finance contributions by two or more business entities be attributed to one business entity if one is a wholly owned subsidiary of another or if the business entities are owned or controlled by at least 80% of the same individuals or business entities; and defining the term "business entity" to include a corporation, a general partnership or limited partnership, a limited liability company, or a real estate investment trust. Status: In the House Hearing 2/21 at 1pm Final Action: HB 374 / SB212 (Vehicle Laws Registration Plates for Motorcycles Individuals with Disabilities) Sponsored by Delegate Malone Authorizing an individual to possess a specified number of special registration plates for individuals with disabilities for specified motorcycles in addition to the special registration plate and parking placards authorized under specified provisions of law. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate First Reading Judicial Proceedings Final Action: HB187 (Consumer Protection Health Clubs Surety Bond Requirements) Sponsored by Delegate Warren Miller Altering a specified cap on the amount of a surety bond, letter of credit, or cash that persons who sell health club services agreements must file or maintain under the Maryland Health Club Services Act; establishing requirements for specified surety bonds; altering the circumstances under which the amount of specified surety bonds must be increased or may be decreased; etc. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Hearing 3/27 at 1pm Final Action: HB317 (State Government E-Verify Program) Sponsored by Delegate Warren Miller Declaring that it is the public policy of the State to restrict and deter the use of unauthorized alien workers in the performance of public contracts and grants in the State; specifying criteria for mandatory registration in a federal E-Verify program for specified contractors and grantees; prohibiting noncompliant persons or entities from performing specified contracts; imposing specified requirements on subcontractors; authorizing the

Commissioner of Labor and Industry to assess penalties; etc. Status: In the House Hearing 3/17 at 1pm Final Action:

HB318 (Labor and Employment Labor Organizations Right to Work) Sponsored by Delegate Warren Miller Prohibiting an employer from requiring, as a condition of employment or continued employment, an employee or prospective employee to join or remain a member of a labor organization, pay charges to a labor organization, or pay a specified amount to a third party under specified circumstances; prohibiting an employer from threatening an employee or a prospective employee with specified action; providing that a specified violation of law is a misdemeanor and is subject to specified penalties; etc. Status: In the House Unfavorable Report by Economic Matters Final Action: SB100 / HB205 (Tax Overpayment Interest on Refunds) Sponsored by Senator Kasemeyer Altering the day on which interest begins to accrue on specified taxpayer refunds from the 45th day after a refund claim is filed to the date the overpayment is made; allowing interest to accrue on a taxpayer refund from the 45th day after the claim is filed if the claim for a refund is based on an error or mistake of the claimant not attributable to the State; repealing a specified prohibition on a tax collector paying interest on specified refunds; etc. Status: In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Budget and Taxation; In the House Hearing 2/19 at 1pm Final Action: SB120 / HB208 (Interest Rate on Tax Deficiencies and Refunds) Sponsored by Senator Kasemeyer Altering the calculation of the interest rate on tax deficiencies and refunds to 2 percentage points above a specified underpayment rate established under the Internal Revenue Code; providing that the interest rate may not be less than specified rates for 2014 through 2017; repealing a requirement that the Comptroller annually set the interest rate; etc. Status: In the Senate Hearing 2/6 at 1pm; In the House Hearing 2/19 at 1pm Final Action:

SB144 / HB263 (Property Tax Credit Historically and Architecturally Valuable Property) Sponsored by Senator Kasemeyer Increasing, from 10% to 25%, the amount of restoration and preservation expenses for specified historic structures that the governing body of a county or municipal corporation may authorize to be claimed by specified taxpayers as a property tax credit against the county or municipal property tax; applying the Act to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2013; etc. Status: In the Senate Hearing 2/6 at 1pm; In the House Hearing 2/7 at 1pm Final Action:

SB372 (Health Occupation Boards Criminal History Records Checks General Authority) Sponsored by Senator Robey Authorizing a health occupation board to adopt regulations requiring applicants for an initial license or certificate to have a criminal history records check; authorizing a health occupation board to adopt regulations requiring applicants for reinstatement of a lapsed license or certificate, removal from inactive status, or renewal of a license or certificate to have a criminal history records check; requiring an applicant to submit specified fingerprints and fees to obtain a criminal history records check; etc. Status: In the Senate Hearing 2/26 at 1pm Final Action: HB217 / SB373 (Early Voting Access Act of 2013) Sponsored by Delegate Rosenberg/Senator Ferguson Increasing the number of early voting centers that are required to be established in each county for a regularly scheduled general election; authorizing the State Board of Elections, in collaboration with the local boards of elections, to increase the number of early voting centers in each county for a regularly scheduled primary election; and requiring that early voting centers be open for specified days and hours before regularly scheduled primary and general elections. Status: In the House Hearing 2/26 at 1pm; In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Withdrawn Final Action: HB220 (Voters Rights Protection Act of 2013) Sponsored by Delegate Rosenberg Prohibiting a person from willfully and knowingly influencing or attempting to influence a voter's voting decision through the use of fraud; authorizing the Attorney General to institute an action in a circuit court for injunctive relief to prohibit a person from engaging in or continuing to engage in specified violations of election law; providing that injunctive relief may be granted under the Act only to prevent specified violations of election law from affecting a pending election; etc. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate First Reading Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs and Judicial Proceedings Final Action:

SB245 / HB103 (School Buildings Solar Technology Design Development Documents) Sponsored by Senator Robey Requiring the Board of Public Works to adopt regulations requiring design development documents for the construction or renovation of school buildings to include specified information relating to the use of solar technology; requiring the Interagency Committee on School Construction to submit a report on the use of solar technologies in specified public school construction and renovation projects to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31 of each year; etc. Status: In the Senate Third Reading Passed; In the House Hearing 3/27 at 1pm Final Action: SB339 / HB753 (Motor Vehicles Use of Wireless Communications Device Prohibited Acts, Enforcement and Penalties) Sponsored by Senator Robey Repealing provisions of law that require enforcement as a secondary offense of specified violations involving the use of a wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle; repealing provisions of law that apply prohibitions involving the use of a wireless communication device to specified operators of motor vehicles only if the motor vehicle is in motion; providing that specified prohibitions apply only if the motor vehicle is in the travel portion of a roadway; altering a specified penalty; etc. Status: In the Senate Hearing 2/20 at 1pm; In the House Hearing 2/26 at 1pm Final Action:

HB221 (Election Law Petitions Prohibited Actions) Sponsored by Delegate Rosenberg Prohibiting a person from willfully and knowingly obtaining or attempting to obtain a signature on a petition by threat, menace, or intimidation; and prohibiting a person from willfully and knowingly preventing, hindering, or delaying a person who has a lawful right to sign a petition from signing a petition through the use of fraud, duress, force, threat, menace, or intimidation. Status: In the House Hearing 2/7 at 1pm Final Action: HB224 / SB279 (Election Law Improving Access to Voting) Sponsored by Speaker Providing an exception to the voter registration deadline to allow an individual to register to vote or update an existing voter registration address and vote during early voting; requiring proof of residency to register or update an existing voter registration address during early voting; providing the types of acceptable proof; requiring the State Board of Elections to adopt regulations and establish procedures for the administration of voter registration during early voting; etc. Status: In the House Hearing 2/21 at 1pm; In the Senate Third Reading Passed Final Action: HB323 (Election Law Primary Elections - Dates) Sponsored by Delegate Afzali Altering the dates of primary elections to be the first Tuesday in June; and altering the deadline for filing a certificate of candidacy in the year in which the Governor is elected. Status: In the House Unfavorable Report by Ways and Means Withdrawn Final Action: HB324 (Elections Offenses Relating to Voting Penalties) Sponsored by Delegate Afzali Increasing the penalties for offenses relating to voting Status: In the House Hearing 2/21 at 1pm Final Action: HB325 (Election Law Qualification of Voters Proof of Identity) Sponsored by Delegate Afzali Requiring an election judge to establish a voter's identity and verify the voter's address if the voter seeks to vote a

regular ballot; requiring an election judge to qualify a voter by requesting the voter to present a current government-issued photo identification; requiring an election judge to authorize an individual to vote a regular ballot; allowing a voter who is unable to present a specified form of identification to vote by provisional ballot under specified circumstances; etc. Status: In the House Hearing 2/21 at 1pm Final Action: SB171 / HB196 (Election Law Special Elections Voting by Mail) Sponsored by Senator Forehand/Delegate Cardin Authorizing the Governor, a county council, or a board of county commissioners to direct that voting by mail be utilized in specified special elections; specifying the application of provisions of law to a special election conducted by mail; requiring a local board of elections to mail a vote-by-mail ballot to each registered voter who is eligible to vote in a special election conducted by mail unless the voter has requested that the ballot be transmitted by other means; etc. Status: In the Senate Third Reading Passed; In the House Second Reading Passed with Amendments Final Action: SB367 / HB729 (Election Law Petitions Confidentiality) Sponsored by Senator Jacobs Prohibiting public inspection of a petition after the petition is filed with the State Board of Elections or a county board of elections, with a specified exception; requiring a custodian to permit a person to inspect a petition if the person requires access to the petition to facilitate judicial review of a determination concerning the sufficiency of the petition; providing that a custodian may not disclose personal information contained in a petition to the general public; defining a term; etc. Status: In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Education, Health, and Environmental Matters; In the House Hearing 2/21 at 1pm Final Action: HB103 / SB245 (School Buildings Solar Technology Design Development Documents) Sponsored by Delegate Morhaim and Senator Robey Requiring the Board of Public Works to adopt regulations requiring design development documents for the construction or renovation of school buildings to include specified information relating to the use of solar technology; requiring the Interagency Committee on

School Construction to submit a report on the use of solar technologies in specified public school construction and renovation projects to the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31 of each year; etc. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Favorable Report by Budget and Taxation Final Action: HB165 / SB807 (Elementary and Secondary Education-Security-School Resource Officers) Sponsored by Delegate Cluster Requiring each county superintendent of schools to enter into an agreement with an appropriate law enforcement agency to provide a school resource officer to each public elementary and secondary school; providing that additional funding required for school resource officers shall be paid from the Education Trust Fund from funds allocated from a specified source; and making the Act an emergency measure. Status: In the House- Unfavorable Report by Ways and Means; In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Final Action: HB207 (Education- Chronically Absent Students) Sponsored by Delegate Luedtke Requiring county boards of education to develop a system of intervention for chronically absent students. Status: In the House- Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Hearing 4/3 at 1pm Final Action: HB269 (Public Schools- Requirements for Controlled Access) Sponsored by Delegate Luedtke Requiring a new school or a renovated school that receives State public school construction funds to be constructed or renovated to have controlled access to allow visitors to enter the school; providing for the application of the Act to the construction or the renovation of schools that have not initiated a specified Request For Proposal on or before January 1, 2014; etc. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Hearing 4/2 at 1pm Final Action: SB115 (County Boards of Education- School Budget, Audit, and Procurement Information Web Site Production) Sponsored By Senator Benson

Requiring county boards of education to develop and operate a searchable Web site that includes specified information relating to school budgets, audits, and procurement; specifying parameters of the Web site; and defining terms. Status: In the Senate- Unfavorable Report by Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Final Action: SB143 / HB983 (Public Schools- Emergency Management Plans- Evaluations) Sponsored by Senator Pugh Requiring each county board of education to evaluate the effectiveness of the emergency management plan in each public school under the jurisdiction of the county board on or before November 1, 2013; requiring each county board of education to report to the State Department of Education on a specified evaluation on or before December 1, 2013; requiring the Department to make a specified report to the General Assembly; etc. Status: In the Senate Third Reading Passed; In the House Second Reading Passed Final Action: SB303 (State Payments of Public Schools Construction Costs Remittance of Reimbursement to County) Sponsored by Senator Glassman Requiring the State, when the State provides reimbursement of forward-funded public school construction or public school capital improvement projects, to remit the funds to the county government for specified payments; and prohibiting the State from remitting a reimbursement to the county board of education. Status: In the Senate Hearing 2/13 at 1pm Final Action: SB359 / HB530 (Education- School Vehicle Attendant) Sponsored by Senator Pugh Prohibiting an individual from serving as a school vehicle attendant unless the attendant is a specified employee or a specified individual assigned or authorized to work with a specified student under specified circumstances, or has specified authorization, and possesses specified identification. Status: In the Senate- Third Reading Passed; In the House Hearing 3/26 at 1pm Final Action:

HB74/ SB260 (Alcoholic Beverages Consumption of Wine Not Bought from License Holder) Sponsored by Delegate Feldman and Senator Young Allowing an individual in a restaurant, club, or hotel for which any license allowing the sale of wine is issued to consume wine not purchased from or provided by the license holder under specified circumstances, including a requirement that the license holder obtain a corkage permit; and requiring each local licensing board to issue a corkage permit at no charge. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Withdrawn Final Action: HB218/ SB518 (Homestead Tax Credit Eligibility Verification and Application - Extension) Sponsored by Delegate Washington M. and Senator Conway Altering the date by which the homestead property tax credit may not be authorized or granted unless an application is filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; and making the Act an emergency measure. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate- Hearing 3/21 at 1:00 pm Final Action: HB166 (Speed Monitoring and Work Zone Speed Control Systems- Daily Calibration and Video Recordings) Sponsored by Delegate Cluster Requiring a speed monitoring system and a work zone speed control system to undergo a daily rather than an annual calibration check that is kept on file and may be admitted as evidence in specified court proceedings; requiring a speed monitoring system and a work zone speed control system to produce a video recording of every violation for which a citation is issued; requiring a citation to contain specified information relating to the availability of a specified video recording; etc. Status: In the House Unfavorable Report by Environmental Matters Final Action: HB188 (Retail Service Stations Disaster Preparation Generator Tax Credit) Sponsored by Delegate McDermott Requiring the governing body of a county or municipal corporation to grant a property tax credit not exceeding $7,000 for generators or wiring and transfer switches at

retail service stations; establishing when the tax credit may be granted; defining terms; etc. Status: In the House- Hearing 2/6 at 1pm Final Action: HB251 / SB785 (Vehicle Laws Speed Monitoring and Work Zone Speed Control Systems Repeal) Sponsored by Delegate Smigiel Repealing the authority of counties and municipalities in the State to use speed monitoring systems to enforce highway speed laws; repealing the authority to use work zone speed control systems to enforce highway speed laws within work zones; etc. Status: In the House Unfavorable Report by Environmental Matters; In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Judicial Proceedings Final Action: HB263/ SB144 (Property Tax Credit Historically and Architecturally Valuable Property) Sponsored by Delegate Lafferty and Senator Kasemeyer Increasing, from 10% to 25%, the amount of restoration and preservation expenses for specified historic structures that the governing body of a county or municipal corporation may authorize to be claimed by specified taxpayers as a property tax credit against the county or municipal property tax; applying the Act to taxable years beginning after June 30, 2013; etc. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Hearing Hearing 3/28 at 2pm Final Action: SB230 (Open Meetings Act Public Body Definition) Sponsored by Senator Getty Altering the definition of a "public body" for the purposes of the Open Meetings Act to include an entity that is created by a memorandum of understanding or a master agreement to which a majority of the county boards of education and the State Department of Education are signatories; and requiring the State Department of Education to report on or before December 1 of every even-numbered year to specified legislative committees regarding the activities and decisions of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association. Status: In the Senate Third Reading Passed; In the House - Hearing 3/27 at 1pm Final Action:

HB44 (Environment- Maryland Clean Water Fund Uses) Sponsored by Delegate Vitale Requiring the Department of the Environment to use specified penalties or fines that are paid into the Maryland Clean Water Fund to restore specified areas associated with the penalty or fine; restricting the use of specified penalties or fines for administrative purposes; making technical changes; etc. Status: In the House- Unfavorable Report by Environmental Matters Final Action: HB95 (Environment Permits New Source Performance Standards) Sponsored by Chair, Environmental Matters Committee Repealing a requirement that the Department of the Environment provide for specified public participation prior to the issuance of an ambient air quality control permit for a source that is subject to federal New Source Performance Standards. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Hearing 3/26at 1pm Final Action: HB97 (Environment- Sediment Control and Stormwater Management Plans Authority) Sponsored by Chair, Environmental Matters Committee Authorizing the Department of the Environment to designate authority for specified sediment control plan and stormwater management plan review and approval. Status: In the House Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Hearing 3/19 at 1pm Final Action: HB99 (Public Health Child Care Products Containing Flame Retardant Chemicals (TRIS) Prohibition) Sponsored by Delegate Hubbard Prohibiting a person from selling or offering for sale specified child care products containing flame-retardant chemicals (TRIS); providing that the Act does not apply to the sale or distribution of a child care product that is resold, offered for resale, or distributed by a consumer for consumer use; providing for penalties; authorizing a court to enjoin specified actions; requiring the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to adopt regulations on or before January 1, 2014; etc.

Status: In the House- Third Reading Passed; In the Senate 3/27 at 1pm Final Action: HB106 / SB391 (Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012- Repeal) Sponsored by Delegate McDermott Repealing the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012; repealing specified provisions of law relating to the adoption of specified growth tier designations by specified local jurisdictions; repealing a prohibition against the sale or development of specified land unless specified documentation is provided to the Department of the Environment; repealing the requirement that under specified circumstances a local jurisdiction alter the contents of a specified plan; etc. Status: In the House Unfavorable Report by Environmental Matters; In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Final Action: HB135 (Environment- Motor Vehicle BatteriesRecycling) Sponsored by Delegate Miller, A. Requiring any person selling motor vehicle batteries for retail sale in the State to accept all used motor vehicle batteries offered by customers for recycling and to post a sign in accordance with specified requirements; requiring a person accepting used motor vehicle batteries to provide for the recycling of each battery within 90 days and in accordance with specified regulations; establishing penalties for a violation of the Act; requiring the Department of the Environment to adopt regulations; etc. Status: In the House Unfavorable Report by Environmental Matters Final Action: HB226 / SB275 (Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013) Sponsored by Speaker Altering the Maryland renewable energy portfolio standard program to include a specified amount of energy derived from offshore wind energy; prohibiting the portion of the renewable energy portfolio that represents offshore wind energy from applying to retail electricity sales by a supplier in excess of specified amounts of specified loads; defining "offshore wind renewable energy credit" for specified purposes; establishing an application process for specified proposed offshore wind energy projects; etc.

Status: In the House Passed Enrolled; In the Senate Hearing 2/13 at 1pm Final Action: HB337 / SB514 (Natural Gas Hydraulic Fracturing Prohibition) Sponsored by Delegate Robinson, S. Prohibiting a person from engaging in the hydraulic fracturing of a well for the exploration or production of natural gas. Status: In the House Unfavorable Report by Environmental Matters Withdrawn; In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Final Action: HB341 / SB513 (Environmental Hydraulic Fracturing Wastewater- Prohibited Act) Sponsored by Delegate Robinson, S. Prohibiting a person from storing, treating, discharging, or disposing of, in the State, wastewater resulting from hydraulic fracturing. Status: In the House- Unfavorable Report by Environmental Matters; In the Senate Unfavorable Report by Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Withdrawn Final Action: HB385 / SB27 (Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program- Extension) Sponsored by Delegate Robinson, S. Repealing the limitations on the requirement to provide specified funding in specified fiscal years to the Chesapeake Conservation Corps Program for specified purposes from the Environmental Trust Fund; and requiring specified funding for the Corps Program each fiscal year. Status: In the House- Third Reading Passed; In the Senate Hearing 3/27 at 1pm Final Action: Votes:

To view information online, visit I encourage our residents to stay tuned in if these topics are of interest to you. As always, I hope you have found this information insightful, and I encourage you to share this newsletter with your neighbors. All the best,

Calvin Ball
Dr. Calvin Ball Councilmember, District 2 Howard County Council 3430 Court House Drive Ellicott City, MD 21043 "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ~ Mahatma Gandhi